From "Mananaism" to Motivation: Keys to Lasting Physical and Emotional Health Part 2

The journey to better physical and emotional health often begins with a great intention, but it can quickly stall due to procrastination—or what one speaker in a recent True You Ministries broadcast termed "mananaism”. The mentality of "I'll start tomorrow" or the fleeting commitment of a New Year's resolution can set us up for failure.

In a discussion on the "keys to a good physical and emotional health," Pastoral Counselor Stacy Echeverria and faith-based certified holistic nutritionist, registered dietitian, personal trainer, and group fitness instructor Holly Soto shared essential strategies for moving past the procrastination mindset and achieving lasting change.

Here are the key takeaways for transforming your health journey:

1. Ditch the Overhaul, Embrace Tiny Steps

Many people feel that to get started, they need a complete life overhaul—like immediately changing everything they eat and exercising for 30 minutes every day. This overwhelming feeling can actually prevent you from starting.

Instead, Holly recommends starting with small, manageable steps that feel achievable:

·       Start with hydration: "Can you drink more water this week? Like that's your first goal".

·       Incorporate movement: Next, you might start walking three days a week for 20 minutes.

·       Simple food changes: Try just making your lunch at home, or adding one vegetable every day.

While this is a slower process, it makes you more likely to stick with it for the long term. Don't wait until Monday or the New Year; what is one easy thing you can start with today?

2. Set Realistic Expectations (The Race is a Marathon, Not a Sprint)

It's crucial to set reasonable, attainable goals. Unrealistic expectations—like losing 30 pounds in two months—set people up for failure, causing them to give up when the goal isn't reached quickly.

Holly emphasizes that a healthy pace is often slow:

·       "If you lose half a pound a week, you're doing awesome".

·       Expect just small changes.

·       You will likely feel better first before you see a change in your weight or fatigue.

Remember, weight that took a long time to gain cannot be magically lost in a week with some special diet—that's not realistic. Stacy also shared a powerful scripture from Hebrews 12:1-2: "Let us run with perseverance, the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith". She noted that this health journey is a race, not a sprint.

3. Overcome "Speed Bumps" with Faith and Flexibility

It’s inevitable that you will run into "speed bumps" or moments where you want to quit due to stress or other life issues. Holly and Stacy shared several faith-based strategies for pushing through:

·       Bring God into the equation: This always helps. Pray before every meal, asking God for help with your struggles, or ask Him to be your strength daily.

·       Use faith as strength: Focus on scriptures about God being your strength and the power of the Holy Spirit, which includes self-control. Remember that you "can do all things through Christ".

·       Don't quit, simplify: If you feel overwhelmed, don't stop entirely—just dial it back and simplify your goal to keep moving forward.

·       Seek community: Find a team of people, like a trainer, a nutritionist, or a group. Holly advises that if she could, she would refer all her clients to a counselor like Stacy, because we are not supposed to do it alone.

4. Recognize the Body-Mind-Spirit Connection

Physical and emotional health are closely connected and impact one another.

·       The Gut-Brain Link: What you feed your physical body affects your brain. Food choices can either contribute to stress or help combat it; they can give us energy or sap it away.

·       Movement as Stress Relief: Exercise releases chemicals like endorphins, which make you feel great, relieve stress, and give you energy.

·       Mindset is Key: Stacy notes that if you believe you will "always be this way," that false belief will keep you stuck in your emotional and physical health. Addressing what you believe to be true is fundamental for making progress.

By focusing on small steps, setting realistic goals, and using faith and community to overcome challenges, you can start the race toward lasting health and well-being today.

Stacy Echeverria is a Licensed Pastoral Counselor with True You Ministries.

Holly is a faith-based certified holistic nutritionist, personal trainer, and group fitness instructor with Renewal Fit Coach.

Contact Information

Stacy: 

Call: 626-461-3344

Website: trueyouministries.com

Holly: 

Call: 323-379-4345

Email: renewalfitcoach@gmail.com

Website at renewalfitcoach.com